Expert predicts escalation of Russia’s hybrid warfare

Incidents over the past 24 hours—including a drone shot down in Lithuania and Russian flares fired at a Danish helicopter—can be viewed as part of Russia’s hybrid warfare in Europe. This is according to Tormod Heier, a professor of military strategy at the Norwegian Defence University College in Oslo, speaking to *DN*.

He anticipates both more frequent and more serious incidents in the future.

"There are really no limits other than imagination to what can be done against open and vulnerable democratic states," says Heier.

Von der Leyen outraged: "These are not isolated incidents"

Russia has once again acted "recklessly and dangerously" toward Europe, declared European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen following yesterday's incidents.

In one instance, a NATO fighter jet shot down a drone over central Lithuania. In another, a Russian frigate fired two flares at a Danish helicopter.

"These are not isolated incidents. They are part of a broader pattern of Russian aggression and provocations against Europe, putting our readiness and resolve to the test," von der Leyen wrote on X.

Russian ambassador: Danish helicopter was provocative

Russia’s ambassador to Denmark, Vladimir Barbin, claims the Danish helicopter acted provocatively. He stated this in a comment to the Danish news agency Ritzau. "The Danish side’s attempt to explain the helicopter’s provocative actions toward the Russian frigate as a ‘routine exercise’ raises serious concerns regarding the potential consequences of such recklessness."

The frigate fired flares that passed the helicopter. The Danish military states that it was conducting a "routine photo mission" of the vessel, which was in international waters.